More From America's Top States For Business 2013

Least Expensive State to Live

The cost of living is a key factor when businesses decide where to set up shop. That's why Cost of Living is one of the categories we measure as we rank America's Top States for Business. The lower the cost of living, the higher the score. Here are America's least expensive states to live in as ranked by CNBC, as well as a sampling of the prices you'll pay for some basics in the most expensive area of the state. (Average price data based on Council for Community and Economic Research C2ER Cost of Living Index, Q1 2013.)